Operation of a standalone sensor device

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses, methods, apparatuses and systems for standalone sensor unit are disclosed. For an embodiment, the standalone sensor unit includes a plurality of sensors and a controller. The controller is operative to detect a presence of a mobile unit, wherein detecting the presence of the mobile unit comprises the controller being operative to sense motion with a motion sensor, and sense a strobe of light, wherein the sensed motion and the sensed strobe of light occur within a predetermined time of each other, and receive a configuration setting from the mobile unit within a window of time after presence of the mobile unit has been detected.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/872,647, filed on Aug. 8, 2013, and is acontinuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/466,483, filed on May 8, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part (CIP)of U.S. Pat. No. 8,558,466 which was filed on Nov. 25, 2011 and grantedon Oct. 15, 2013, all of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The described embodiments relate generally to environment control of astructure. More particularly, the described embodiments relate tooperation of a standalone sensor that aids environmental control of thestructure.

BACKGROUND

Lighting control systems automate the operation of lighting within abuilding or residence based upon, for example, preset time schedulesand/or occupancy and/or daylight sensing. The Lighting systems typicallyemploy occupancy sensors and/or daylight sensors to determine whichlighting devices to activate, deactivate, or adjust the light level of,and when to do so. Occupancy sensors typically sense the presence of oneor more persons within a defined area and generate signals indicative ofthat presence. Daylight sensors typically sense the amount of daylightpresent within a defined area and generate signals indicative of thatamount. Typically, lighting systems receive the sensor signals at acentral lighting controller.

The lighting systems are advantageous because they typically reduceenergy costs by automatically lowering light levels or turning offdevices and appliances when not needed, and they can allow all devicesin the system to be controlled from one location.

Centrally controlled lighting systems can be disadvantageous because alldecision making occurs at the controller. Therefore, if the controllerbecomes inoperative, all lighting devices in the system are no longerunder automated control and some or all may not operate even manually.Similarly, if a connection to or from the controller is severed, thelighting devices served by that connection are no longer under automatedcontrol and also may not operate manually. Partial or system-widefunctional changes, such as an immediate need to override current systemsettings (for example, during a fire or other emergency), cannot be madefrom anywhere but the controller. Additionally, centrally-controlledsystems are limited in their ability to be scaled. That is, it is noteasy to add new lighting devices to a centrally-controlled system.

Decentralized lighting systems address many of the above-describedissues. However, decentralized lighting systems require commissioning oflighting devices associated with the lighting systems.

It is desirable to have a method, system and apparatus for standaloneenvironmental (such as, lighting) sensor unit for aiding environmentcontrol of a structure, wherein a user can configure the standalonesensor unit.

SUMMARY

One embodiment includes a standalone sensor unit. The standalone sensorunit includes a plurality of sensors and a controller. The controller isoperative to detect a presence of a mobile unit, wherein detecting thepresence of the mobile unit comprises the controller being operative tosense motion with a motion sensor, and sense a strobe of light, whereinthe sensed motion and the sensed strobe of light occur within apredetermined time of each other, and receive a configuration settingfrom the mobile unit within a window of time after presence of themobile unit has been detected.

Another embodiment includes a method. The method includes detecting, bya standalone sensor unit, a presence of a mobile unit comprising sensingmotion and sensing a strobe of light, wherein the sensed motion and thesensed strobe of light occur within a predetermined time of each other,and receiving, by the standalone sensor unit, a configuration settingfrom the mobile unit within a window of time after presence of themobile unit has been detected.

Other aspects and advantages of the described embodiments will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example theprinciples of the described embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a user device operative to bind to standalone sensor units,and further operative to upload configuration settings to the standalonesensor units, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart that includes steps of a binding a user device tostandalone unit, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a standalone sensor unit, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a standalone sensor unit that includes time estimation,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of event detector, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a more detailed block diagram of an event detector,according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in the drawings, the described embodiments are embodied in anapparatus and method of a standalone sensor unit.

FIG. 1 shows a user device (mobile unit 140) operative to bind tostandalone sensor units, and further operative to upload configurationsettings to the standalone sensor units, according to an embodiment. Asshown, a structure 100 includes multiple standalone sensor units121-129. A user 130 operating the mobile unit 140 travels about thestructure 100. For at least some embodiments, the mobile unit 140 isoperative to bind with one or more of the standalone sensor units121-129.

For at least some embodiment, each sensor unit includes a plurality ofsensors, and a controller. For at least some embodiments, the controlleris operative to detect a presence of the mobile unit 140, whereindetecting the presence of the mobile unit 140 includes the controllerbeing operative to sense motion with a motion sensor, and sense a strobeof light, wherein the sensed motion and the sensed strobe of light occurwithin a predetermined time of each other. That is, the sensor unitbinds to the mobile unit 140 when the sensor unit senses motion (thatis, of the user 130 and the mobile unit 140) and sensor unit senses astrobe of light generated by the mobile unit 140 within a predeterminedtime of each other. By combining the sensed motion and the sensed strobeof light, the likelihood of the sensor unit generating a false positivein the process of binding with the mobile unit 140 is low.

For at least some embodiments, sensing motion includes detecting anevent. For an embodiment, the event includes a sequence of sensedmotion. That is, sensing motion include sensing specific types ofmotion.

For at least some embodiments, sensing a strobe of light includessensing a sequence of strobes of light. That is, the sequence caninclude a coded sequence, wherein the strobe of light includes a seriesof light pulses of a predetermined sequence, wherein each pulse caninclude a selected width or duration of time. For an embodiment, thesequence further includes colors of light. That is, for example, thesequence of strobes of light includes sequences of colors, such as, red,blue and green. The sequences can include any number of pulsed strobesof light wherein each strobe includes a predetermined color. Anysequence of colors of strobes of light can be selected for the sensingof the strobe of light.

As previously stated, for an embodiment, the sensor unit binds to themobile unit when the sensor unit senses motion (that is, of the user 130and the mobile unit 140) and senses a strobe of light generated by themobile unit 140 within a predetermined time of each other. For at leastsome embodiments, the predetermined time is selected based upon typicalmovement of the mobile unit 140 (and the user of the mobile unit 140).

For an embodiment, the sensor unit sensing motion includes motion ingeneral. For another embodiment, the sensor unit sensing motion includesthe controller of the sensor unit tracking sensed motion (or sequencesof motion) over a selection motion period of time. For an embodiment,the sensing motion includes generating a motion signature over a periodof time, and identifying the motion by matching the motion signaturewith known motion signatures.

Further, motion identification can be performed after binding the sensorunit to the mobile unit 140. The motion identification after bindingallows the sensor unit to identify motion events of the user 130 throughevent detection of the mobile unit 140.

Further, once binding with the mobile unit 140 has been established, atleast some embodiments further include the controller of the sensor unit122 being operative to receive a configuration setting from the mobileunit. For an embodiment, the configuration setting must be receivedwithin a window of time after presence of the mobile unit has beendetected. For at least some embodiments, the binding between the sensorunit 122 and the mobile unit 140 prevents other mobile units (at leastmobile units that have not been bound to the sensor unit 122) from beingable to upload configuration settings.

For at least some embodiments, a wireless link is established betweenthe mobile unit 140 and the one or more of standalone sensor units121-129. The wireless link provides a communication path between themobile unit 140 and the one or more of standalone sensor units 121-129,wherein the configuration settings can be uploaded from the mobile unitto the one or more of standalone sensor units 121-129 through thiscommunication path. As previously stated, for an embodiment, theconfiguration setting must be received within a window of time after thepresence of the mobile unit 140 has been detected. For an embodiment,this is achieved by establishing the wireless link during the window oftime after the presence of the mobile unit 140 has been detected. Byonly establishing the wireless link during the window of time, securitybetween the mobile unit 140 and the sensor unit 122 is enhanced. Thatis, the wireless link and the communication path are established foronly during the window of time after the presence of the mobile unit 140has been detected.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart that includes steps of a binding a user device tostandalone unit, according to an embodiment. A first step 210 includesdetecting, by a standalone sensor unit, a presence of a mobile unitincluding sensing motion and sensing a strobe of light, wherein thesensed motion and the sensed strobe of light occur within apredetermined time of each other. A second step 220 includes receiving,by the standalone sensor unit, a configuration setting from the mobileunit after presence of the mobile unit has been detected.

An embodiment further includes the standalone sensor unit initiatingtransmission of beacons after the binding between the mobile unit andthe standalone sensor unit has occurred, wherein the beacons includeinformation about the standalone sensor unit. For an embodiment, themobile unit utilizes the information about the standalone sensor unit todetermine a location of the mobile unit. For an embodiment, theinformation about the standalone sensor unit includes locationinformation about the standalone sensor unit. If the transmission powerof the beacons is less than a predetermined transmit power amount, themobile unit is only able to receive the transmitted beacons within athreshold distance. Therefore, for an embodiment, the location of themobile unit is approximated based on a known location of the standalonesensor unit, wherein the known location can be included within thebeacons. The location of the standalone sensor unit can be provided atthe time of deployment of the standalone sensor unit.

For another embodiment, beacons from multiple standalone sensor unitsare received by the mobile unit which can be used through triangulationfor further estimate the location of the mobile unit. That is, based ona received signal strength of the received beacons, the distance themobile unit is from each of the standalone sensor units can beapproximated. Further, a more-precise estimation of the location of themobile unit can be estimated by triangulating the estimated distancefrom each of the standalone sensor units.

A least some embodiment include a timing calibration. Specifically, anembodiment includes a method of time calibrating the standalone senorunit, including receiving, by a long-wave radio of the standalone sensorunit, an atomic clock signal. Further, the time is determined based onthe received atomic clock signal, and selecting a standalone unitprofile based on the time. For an embodiment, the atomic clock signalincludes signals received from WWVB. WWVB (designator for standard timeand frequency station) is a NIST (National Institute of Standards andTechnology) time signal radio station near Fort Collins, Colorado,co-located with WWV. WWVB is the station that radio-controlled clocks inmost of North America use to synchronize themselves. The 70 kW ERP(effective radiated power) signal transmitted from WWVB is a continuous60 kHz carrier wave, the frequency of which is derived from a set ofatomic clocks located at the transmitter site, yielding a frequencyuncertainty of less than 1 part in 10¹². A one-bit-per-second time code,which is based on the IRIG “H” time code format and derived from thesame set of atomic clocks, is then modulated onto the carrier wave usingpulse width modulation and amplitude-shift keying. A single completeframe of time code begins at the start of each minute, lasts one minute,and conveys the year, day of year, hour, minute, and other informationas of the beginning of the minute.

While most time signals encode the local time of the broadcastingnation, the United States spans multiple time zones, so WWVB broadcaststhe time in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Radio-controlled clockscan then apply time zone and daylight saving time offsets as needed todisplay local time.

At least some embodiment of the standalone sensor unit further includesensing ambient light, and selecting a time zone based on timing of thesensed ambient light. Further, for at least some embodiments selectingthe time zone includes accessing a look up table based on the time andthe timing of the sensed ambient light. That is, the atomic clock signalallows the standalone sensor unit to determine the time at the source ofthe atomic clock signal. However, the standalone sensor unit may belocated in a different time zone as the source of the atomic clocksignal. Accordingly, the standalone sensor unit may incorrectly set theprofile of the standalone sensor unit. However, if the standalone sensorunit further includes an ambient sensor, a sensed signal of the ambientsensor can be used to roughly approximate the time. This sensed signalalong with the determined time of the source of the atomic clock signal,allows the standalone sensor unit to more accurately estimate the timewhere the standalone sensor unit is located, and therefore, moreaccurately control the profile settings of the standalone sensor unit.For an embodiment, the selected standalone sensor unit profile includesoperating controls of the standalone sensor unit.

Binding Between the Mobile Unit and the Stand-Alone Sensor

For at least some embodiments, detecting the presence of the mobile unitbinds the stand-alone sensor unit to the mobile unit. That is, once thestand-alone sensor unit and the mobile unit are binded, thecommunication between them is secure. That is, other mobile units cannotprovide control signals to the stand-alone sensor unit without beingbound to the stand-alone sensor unit. For an embodiment, the bindingincludes source-MAC binding and shared key binding. For an embodiment,the source-MAC binding authorizes the mobile unit to send configurationor override commands to the sensor unit.

For at least some embodiments, receiving the configuration comprises anoperator of the mobile unit selecting the configuration setting from aplurality of predetermined configuration settings.

For at least some embodiments, the configurations vary over time. Forexample, different timing behaviors or configurations can be selectedfor lighting control that is influenced by the stand-alone sensor. Forexample, motion sensing can be used to control the activation oflighting, or to control the intensity of lighting. For an embodiment, ata first time the configuration includes a first lighting control, and ata second time the configuration includes a second lighting control. Forexample, in the middle of the day, the configuration can be set to turnoff lighting. Further, in the middle of the night the configuration canbe set to adjust lighting to some percentage of full on lighting.Further, the lighting can be both time and location dependent. Forexample, lighting control of a first location (for example, the northernhemisphere) can be different than lighting control of a second location(for example, the southern hemisphere).

For at least some embodiments, selecting at least one of thepredetermined configuration setting enables the sensor unit to connectto a network.

FIG. 3 shows a lighting control sub-system (light fixture) that includesa standalone sensor unit that includes time estimation, according to anembodiment. The exemplary light fixture 400 (which could alternativelyby referred to as lighting control subsystem because of the multiplecontrols) includes a standalone sensor unit 402 that is interfaced witha high-voltage manager 404, which is interfaced with a luminaire 440.The high-voltage manager 404 includes a controller (manager CPU) 420that is coupled to the luminaire 440, and to a smart sensor CPU 435 ofthe standalone sensor unit 402. As shown, the smart sensor CPU 435 iscoupled to a communication interface 450, wherein the communicationinterface 450 couples the controller 435 to an external device. Thestandalone sensor unit 402 additionally includes a sensor 460. Asindicated, the sensor 460 can include one or more of a light sensor 441,a motion sensor 442, temperature sensor 443, a camera 444 and/or an airquality sensor 445. It is to be understood that this is not anexhaustive list of sensors. That is additional or alternate sensors canbe utilized for lighting and/or environmental control of a structurethat utilizes the lighting control sub-system 400. The sensor 460 iscoupled to the smart sensor CPU 435, and the sensor 460 generates asensed input. For at least one embodiment, at least one of the sensorsis utilized for communication with the user device.

For at least some embodiments, the smart sensor CPU (controller) 435 isoperative to detect a presence of a mobile unit, wherein detecting thepresence of the mobile unit comprises the controller being operative tosense motion with the motion sensor 442, and sense (through, forexample, the light sensor 441) a strobe of light, wherein the sensedmotion and the sensed strobe of light occur within a predetermined timeof each other. Further, the smart sensor CPU 435 is operative to receivea configuration setting from the mobile unit within a window of timeafter presence of the mobile unit has been detected.

For at least some embodiments, receiving the configuration settingcomprises an operator of the mobile unit selecting the configurationsetting from a plurality of predetermined configuration settings. For atleast some embodiments, at least one of the predetermined configurationsettings enables the sensor unit to connect to a network. For anembodiment, connecting with the network occurs in the future relative tothe when the configuration setting is received.

According to at least some embodiments, the controllers (manager CPU 420and the smart sensor CPU 435) are operative to control a light output ofthe luminaire 440 based at least in part on the sensed input, andcommunicate at least one of state or sensed information to the externaldevice.

For at least some embodiments, the high-voltage manager 404 receives thehigh-power voltage and generates power control for the luminaire 440,and generates a low-voltage supply for the standalone sensor unit 402.As suggested, the high-voltage manager 404 and the standalone sensorunit 402 interact to control a light output of the luminaire 440 basedat least in part on the sensed input, and communicate at least one ofstate or sensed information to the external device. The high-voltagemanager 404 and the standalone sensor unit 402 can also receive state orcontrol information from the external device, which can influence thecontrol of the light output of the luminaire 440. While the manager CPU420 of the high-voltage manager 404 and the smart sensor CPU 435 of thestandalone sensor unit 402 are shown as separate controllers, it is tobe understood that for at least some embodiments the two separatecontrollers (CPUs) 420, 435 can be implemented as single controller orCPU.

For at least some embodiments, the communication interface 450 providesa wireless link to external devices (for example, the centralcontroller, the user device and/or other lighting sub-systems ordevices).

An embodiment of the high-voltage manager 404 of the lighting controlsub-system 400 further includes an energy meter (also referred to as apower monitoring unit), which receives the electrical power of thelighting control sub-system 400. The energy meter measures and monitorsthe power being dissipated by the lighting control sub-system 400. Forat least some embodiments, the monitoring of the dissipated powerprovides for precise monitoring of the dissipated power. Therefore, ifthe manager CPU 420 receives a demand response (typically, a requestfrom a power company that is received during periods of high powerdemands) from, for example, a power company, the manager CPU 420 candetermine how well the lighting control sub-system 400 is responding tothe received demand response. Additionally, or alternatively, themanager CPU 420 can provide indications of how much energy (power) isbeing used, or saved.

FIG. 4 shows a standalone sensor unit that includes time estimation,according to an embodiment. This embodiment of the standalone sensorunit further includes a long-wave radio and atomic clock receiver 490.

For at least some embodiments, the long-wave radio is operative toreceive an atomic clock signal. Further, the atomic clock receiver isoperative to set a time based on the received atomic clock signal.Further, the controller is further operative to select a profile basedon the time. That is, as previously described, for an embodiment, at afirst time the configuration includes a first lighting control, and at asecond time the configuration includes a second lighting control. Forexample, in the middle of the day, the configuration can be set to turnoff lighting. Further, in the middle of the night the configuration canbe set to adjust lighting to some percentage of full on lighting.Further, the lighting can be both time and location dependent. Forexample, lighting control of a first location (for example, the northernhemisphere) can be different than lighting control of a second location(for example, the southern hemisphere).

For at least some embodiments, an ambient light sensor (for example,light sensor 441) is operative to sense ambient light. Further, thecontroller is further operative to select a time zone based on timing ofthe sensed ambient light. For at least some embodiments, selecting thetime zone comprises accessing a look up table based on the time and thetiming of the sensed ambient light.

Event Identification

At least some of the described embodiments provide for identification ofevents through motion sensing or detection. For at least someembodiments, the identification of an event is utilized for detectingthe presence of the mobile unit with a motion sensor. At least someembodiments include identifying events within a room, building orstructure that can be used for identifying, for example, activities ofperson(s) or occupants, which can be used to provide intelligentlighting control of the room, building or structure. Additionally, oralternatively, the identified events can be used to control security,and/or other environmental aspects, for example heating/cooling, of theroom, building or structure.

At least some embodiments additionally identify one or more sequences ofevents. For example, a person entering a structure and then leaving thestructure includes a sequence of identifiable events. Also, for example,a person entering a structure and then remaining near-motionless withinthe structure includes a sequence of identifiable events. A lightingcontrol system can intelligently utilize the identification of thesesequences of events to control lighting within the structure. The termstructure can be loosely interpreted as any area that can beintelligently controlled, such as, a building, a room, a parkingstructure, a parking lot, etc. Generally, the more knowledge andinformation a controller has about the environmental conditions of thestructure, the more intelligently the controller can control theenvironmental conditions. While most of the described embodiments may beassociated with lighting and intelligent lighting systems, it is to beunderstood that the embodiments can be adapted to control other types ofenvironmental conditions of a structure, such as, heating, cooling, andadapted to security systems.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of event detector according to anembodiment. As shown, a motion/light sensor 510 senses motion within,for example, a structure. Various embodiments include differentembodiments of motion sensors. For one embodiment, the motion sensorincludes an infrared (IR) sensor. For another embodiment, the motionsensor includes an ambient light sensor. Other embodiments includeultrasonic motion sensors, dual tech (PIR/ultrasonic, PIR/microphonic,etc.) motion sensors, and camera/image based motion sensors.

A sensed signal of the motion/light sensor 510 is received by aprocessor 520. While shown generically as a single processor 520, for atleast some embodiments, the processor 520 includes the smart sensor CPU435, the manager CPU 420, or a combination of the smart sensor CPU 435and the manager CPU 420. The processor 520 identifies an event bymatching the sensed signal with a plurality of stored event patternsstored, for example, in a stored set of patterns of events database 530.For one embodiment, the sensed signal is sampled, and the processor 520includes digital signal processing that matches set of samples of thestored event patterns. For another embodiment, the sensed signal is ananalog signal and the processor 520 matches the analog signal withstored patterns of analog signals.

Exemplary patterns of events include, for example, an occupant enteringa room, an incandescent lamp being turned on, direct unfilteredsunlight, an abrupt entry well within a perimeter of the structure (thatis, for example, a break-in), a small animal (such as, a dog or a cat)running into the room or structure, rising steam from boiling water (forexample, steam/heat from a burst heating/water pipe), fluctuations innear IR ambient light, entry of an automobile in a parking garage, aheating or air conditioning (AC) unit on, a portable space heater uniton, operation of a fire place, and/or a microwave or toaster oven on.Each of these events depicts a pattern that can be detected andidentified through, for example, an IR sensor located in a structure(room) in which the event occurs. The detection of the event can be usedto control lighting, temperature and/or security of the structure.

An embodiment of the processor 520 provides an indicator of anidentified event (motion sensing). That is, once a match between thesensed signal and one of the stored patterns of event has been made, theprocessor 520 provides an indication of the match. Further, theprocessor can monitor the identified events over time, and matchsequences of identified events with a stored set of sequences of events540. That is another data base which includes stored sequences of events540 which can provide for the identification of an activity thatincludes a predetermined sequence of events. An exemplary activityincludes a person passing through the structure without stopping. Thatis, for example, the person walks through a room without stopping orstaying in the room. Another exemplary activity includes the personentering the room, sitting and remaining near motionless. Both of theseexemplary activities include a sequence of identifiable events.

Standard motion detectors sense motion and subsequently activate a lightfor a set period of time. If a person merely passes through a room withsuch a motion sensing and light combination, power is wasted lighting aroom in which no one is present. If the person enters the room andremains near-motionless (that is, less motion than required to triggerthe motion sensor) the light may turn off after the set period of time,which can be annoying to the person. The described embodiments eliminatethese problems by specifically identifying events that occur, andreacting accordingly.

An embodiment includes a method of identifying an event, which isutilized as motion sensing for binding a mobile unit to a standalonesensor unit. A first step includes sensing motion with a light detector.A second step includes matching the sensed motion with one of aplurality of stored patterns of events. A third step includesidentifying an event associated with the sensed motion based on a matchbetween a one of the plurality of patterns and the sensed motion.

For at least some embodiments, the light sensor acts as a motiondetector. The light detector can include, for example, an Infrared (IR)sensor, an ambient light sensor, or a heat sensor. Additionally, atleast some embodiments further include matching a sequence of identifiedevents. For one specific embodiment, the matched sequence of eventsprovides identification of a user passing through a room that includesthe light (motion) detector. For another specific embodiment, thematched sequence of events provides identification of a user entering aroom that includes the light detector and then remaining nearmotionless. In conjunction with lighting, an embodiment further includescontrolling a light associated with the light detector based at least inpart on the identified event.

FIG. 6 shows a more detailed block diagram of an event detectoraccording to an embodiment. This embodiment includes an infrared (IR)sensor 610 that generates digital samples of a sensed IR signal. Thesensed IR signal is filtered with a low pass filter (LPF) 612 to removenoise. The filtered signal is averaged over N samples (614). The numberof samples N is selectable and adaptive, but an embodiment canadvantageously select N to be a power of two to reduce processingcomplexity. A variance computation block 616 receives the averagedsignal (X′) and the instantaneous samples (Xi) and generates a variancesignal. A correlator 618 matches the variance signal with a one ofstored event sequences to provide identification of an event based uponthe sensed signal of the IR sensor 610.

Embodiments include the stored event sequences being of length less thanor equal to the number of samples N. Event sequences need not be ofequal lengths. Prefixing, annexing, or inserting an event sequence withzeros effectively shortens or divides its sequence.

For at least some embodiments, the correlation is computed by comparingeach instantaneous sample to its corresponding value in each of thestored event sequences for all N samples. If an instantaneous samplemeets or exceeds its corresponding value of a stored event, a logicalTRUE bit is set for that sample of that event. An event is detected whenall N samples are TRUE, and the selected event is that of the highestpriority.

A second correlator 620 can be included for matching sequences ofidentified events, thereby providing more information about activitiesoccurring in the structure (for example, a room of a building).

If, for example, a person (occupant) is walking through a room(structure), a unique sequence of events is output from correlator 618due to the IR sensor 610. This sequence of events is input to correlator620 at a non-uniform rate as exemplified in table 1.

If one such predetermined sequence of events is defined as analternating pattern of small lobe and large lobe events, correlator 620outputs the identified sequence of events. Since there are numerouspossible combinations and permutations of identified events output fromcorrelator 618, the queue of length M of correlator 620 must be chosento be of sufficient length to correlate with its predetermined sequencesof events. A sample count, as exemplified in table 1, may be utilized totime-tag identified events and thereby identify those events that shouldbe discarded.

TABLE 1 An Identified Sequence of Events Due to Walking Through a roomSAMPLE VARIANCE LOBE EVENT COUNT TIME t[0] t[n-1] t[n-2] SMALL LARGE Δ(Sec) Δ (mS) 930 606 378 X 16029 0.000 2999 2393 1808 X 16033 4 0.063 63224 410 669 X 16051 18 0.348 284 809 729 644 X 16063 12 0.537 190 308402 524 X 16070 7 0.648 111 595 514 422 X 16077 7 0.758 111 340 404 497X 16083 6 0.853 95 2422 1723 1217 X 16098 15 1.090 237 337 426 522 X16122 24 1.469 379 962 787 641 X 16140 18 1.754 284 356 602 1023 X 1617939 2.370 616 514 508 482 X 16186 7 2.480 111 327 411 453 X 16189 3 2.52847 1521 1250 976 X 16212 23 2.891 363 350 683 1118 X 16247 35 3.444 5532180 1936 1563 X 16256 9 3.586 142 297 501 785 X 16275 19 3.886 300 17471410 1038 X 16284 9 4.028 142 333 489 721 X 16299 15 4.265 237 2170 17371293 X 16311 12 4.455 190 243 408 648 X 16340 29 4.913 458 642 597 507 X16351 11 5.087 174 307 378 440 X 16361 10 5.245 158

Although specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, thedescribed embodiments are not to be limited to the specific forms orarrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The embodiments arelimited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A standalone sensor unit, comprising: a plurality ofsensors, at least one of the plurality of sensors operative to senselight; a controller operative to: detect a presence of a mobile unit ,wherein detecting the presence of the mobile unit comprises thecontroller being operative; to sense a strobe of light by the at leastone of the plurality of sensors; and receive a configuration settingfrom the mobile unit within a window of time after presence of themobile unit has been detected.
 2. The standalone sensor unit of claim 1,wherein detecting the presence of the mobile unit further comprises thecontroller being operative to sense motion with a motion sensor, andsense the strobe of light, wherein the sensed motion and the sensedstrobe of light occur within a predetermined time of each other.
 3. Thestandalone sensor unit of claim 2, wherein sensing motion comprisessensing motion with a light detector, matching the sensed motion withone of a plurality of stored patterns of events, and identifying anevent associated with the sensed motion based on a match between a oneof the plurality of patterns and the sensed motion.
 4. The standalonesensor unit of claim 1, further comprising; a long-wave radio operativeto receive an atomic clock signal; and an atomic clock receiveroperative to set a time of the standalone sensor unit based on thereceived atomic clock signal; and wherein the controller is furtheroperative to select a profile based on the time.
 5. The standalonesensor unit of claim 4, further comprising: an ambient light sensoroperative to sense ambient light; and wherein the controller is furtheroperative to select a time zone based on timing of the sensed ambientlight.
 6. The standalone sensor unit of claim 5, wherein selecting thetime zone comprises accessing a look up table based on the time and thetiming of the sensed ambient light.
 7. The standalone sensor unit ofclaim 1, wherein detecting the presence of the mobile unit binds thesensor unit to the mobile unit.
 8. The standalone sensor unit of claim7, wherein the bound mobile unit is operative as a remote switch or awireless switch for controlling a light associated with the standalonesensor unit.
 9. The standalone sensor unit of claim 1, wherein receivingthe configuration setting comprises an operator of the mobile unitselecting the configuration setting from a plurality of predeterminedconfiguration settings.
 10. The sensor unit of claim 9, wherein at leastone of the predetermined configuration settings enables the standalonesensor unit to connect to a network.
 11. A method comprising: detecting,by a standalone sensor unit, a presence of a mobile unit, comprising;sensing strobe of light; and receiving a configuration setting from themobile unit within a window of time after presence of the mobile unithas been detected.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein detecting thepresence of the mobile unit further comprises sensing motion and sensingthe strobe of light, wherein the sensed motion and the sensed strobe oflight occur within a predetermined time of each other.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein sensing motion comprises sensing motion with a lightdetector, matching the sensed motion with one of a plurality of storedpatterns of events, and identifying an event associated with the sensedmotion based on a match between a one of the plurality of patterns andthe sensed motion.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising;receiving, by a long-wave radio of the standalone sensor unit, an atomicclock signal; determining a time based on the received atomic clocksignal; and selecting a standalone unit profile based on the time. 15.The method of claim 14, further comprising; sensing ambient light; andselecting a time zone based on timing of the sensed ambient light. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein selecting the time zone comprisesaccessing a look up table based on the time and the timing of the sensedambient light.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein detecting thepresence of the mobile unit binds the standalone sensor unit to themobile unit.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the bound mobile unitis operative as a remote switch or a wireless switch for controlling alight associated with the standalone sensor unit.
 19. The method ofclaim 11, wherein receiving the configuration comprises an operator ofthe mobile unit selecting the configuration setting from a plurality ofpredetermined configuration settings.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein at least one of the predetermined configuration settings enablesthe standalone sensor unit to connect to a network.
 21. A standalonesensor unit, comprising: a plurality of sensors; a controller operativeto: detect a presence of a mobile unit , wherein detecting the presenceof the mobile unit comprises the controller being operative; to sense astrobe of light by at least one of the plurality of sensors; and receivea configuration setting from the mobile unit within a window of timeafter presence of the mobile unit has been detected.
 22. The sensor unitof claim 21, wherein detecting the presence of the mobile unit furthercomprises the controller being operative to sense motion with a motionsensor, and sense the strobe of light, wherein the sensed motion and thesensed strobe of light occur within a predetermined time of each other.23. A standalone sensor unit, comprising: a long-wave radio operative toreceive an atomic clock signal; an atomic clock receiver operative toset a time based on the received atomic clock signal; and a controlleroperative to select a profile based on the time.
 24. The sensor unit ofclaim 23, further comprising: an ambient light sensor operative to senseambient light; and wherein the controller is further operative to selecta time zone based on timing of the sensed ambient light.
 25. The sensorunit of claim 24, wherein selecting the time zone comprises accessing alook up table based on the time and the timing of the sensed ambientlight.